Question

Sunlight is absorbed when it hits Earth. Trees absorb sunlight to make their food. Concrete absorbs sunlight during the day, then releases it as heat during the night. How are humans changing the environment by cutting down trees to build cities?

a
They are making the seasons in the environment longer by replacing trees with concrete.
b
They are decreasing the temperature by replacing trees with concrete.
c
They are increasing the temperature by replacing trees with concrete.
d
They are making the seasons in the environment shorter by replacing trees with concrete.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

c. They are increasing the temperature by replacing trees with concrete.

This is because trees help to cool the environment through a process called transpiration and by providing shade. When trees are replaced with concrete and other urban materials, less heat is absorbed during the daytime, but more heat is retained and released at night, leading to the urban heat island effect which can increase overall temperatures in those areas.